Indian juniors led by defender Dipsan Tirkey overcame fitful counters easily in posting 2-1 victory over blue shirted Scotland in Lilleshall Sports Centre, 50 km from Birmingham, England.
Nilakanta Sharma struck early on while Simanrjit Singh enhanced the lead midway through the second half struck in the rain marred tour opener. Marshal Willie posted a late consolation goal for the losing side.
In a match played with high tempo, where in all three green and a yellow card had to be flashed by umpires Alistair Munro and Matt Parry, Indian colts showed enough gumption and game plan to emerge victors.
Before the match started both teams observed two minutes silence to mourn the untimely death of Padamshree Mohd Shahid.
On a neat green turf, India started briskly with good moves upfront, Ajay, Simranjeet, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma and others making good moves inside. But for the brilliance of rival goalie, David Forrester, the Scottish would have had painful periods.
India took the upperhand straightaway, earning first penalty in the first minute, which wasted on account of poor shooting. Nilakanta deflected a rebound off the next penalty corner to put India ahead.
Ajay got a chance to enlarge the lead when served on platter by Gurjant Singh, but his delay in taking the shot led to Duke clearing at the nick of time.
Gurjant made a good attempt in the 15th minute only to see an alert Anderson clearing with a left hand tackle.
In the 22nd minute the Scottish got a golden chance to equalise, but Daniel Coutlas’ dive and the resultant connection of a cross just went wide, agonizingly of course.
India continued to press and created a number of scoring chances. The Scots were definitely under press.
But in a counter, Gamy Frazer made a strong solo, but was carried on the edge of circle.
Shortly later, Indian midfielder Santa Singh made a good save in a melee.
Ajit on the right did a good running before parting the ball to Simranjeet Singh in the circle, but he just failed to stop and strike.
In a stunning coordinated move Ajay supplied gem of a pass to Parminder Singh, but he later shot wide.
The sides changed with a lone score on the board.
Heavy rains stopped match for about 25 minutes.
Harendra’s boys played still better in the second half, though the third penalty corner that came quickly after the side change was wasted.
Thereafter, the Scots pressed hard earned a series of penalty corners. Indian goalie Krishan Pathak was in his elements, and effected good saves to deny any elbow room.
At this spell, India faltered, even Manpreet Singh getting a yellow card suspension.
India continued to attack and got a dividends when Simranjeet Singh hooked a high ball into the net ahead of goalie David.
A bit later, Gamy Frazer struck for Scot in a melee.
Scots pressed hard in the last five minutes, even earning two late penalty corners, but the Indians stood tall and counted.